DESKTOP PUBLISHING SKILLS AND TERMS TO KNOW
DESKTOP PUBLISHING - An advanced software package that combines word processing and graphics (pictures); allows the user to create newspapers, magazines, fliers, etc.
  • Alignment (Justification) - How text appears on the page; right aligned, left aligned, centered, or full justified.
  • Body - Refers to the main portion of a document.
  • Character - Any letter, number, or symbol typed on the keyboard.
  • Clip Art - A collection of graphics (pictures) that can be inserted into a document.
  • Copy - To make an exact copy of information in a document so you can duplicate it in a new location.
  • Copy and Paste - To select text, leave it where it is, and also place a copy of it in another location.
  • Cut and Paste – to select (highlight) text and move it to another location; deletes original text
  • Document - Anything produced on a word processing program
  • Edit -- To make changes in a document or presentation.
  • Folder - A place to store and organize similar files on the computer.
  • Font - The shape and style of text.
  • Footer - Located at the bottom of a document, contains information such as page numbers.
  • Graphic - Images/pictures created, edited, and/or published using a computer.
  • Grammar Check - Checks the grammar in a document
  • Header - Located at the top of a document, contains information that identifies the contents
  • Indent -- To set the first line of a paragraph in from the margin in a word processing document using the tab key.
  • Line Spacing - The distance between lines of text
  • Margin - Page set up where the top, bottom, and sides of a document boundary are set.
  • Overtype Mode - Allows the user to delete and replace text in a document at the same time
  • Page Set Up - Feature used to set the margins, page orientation, etc. in a document
  • Paste - To insert the last information that was cut or copied into a document.
  • Point - Size of text
  • Scroll - To move text up and down and left and right on the screen.
  • Search and Replace (Find and Replace) - Allows you to find a word or series of words in a document and replace it with a different word or series of words.
  • Select - to use the mouse to highlight text within a document.
  • Spell Check – word processing tool that checks the spelling of words in a document with the dictionary spellings; allows the user to easily replace misspelled words with corrected words
  • Subscript - When text is lowered a little lower than the line of text. (Example: H2O)
  • Superscript - When text is raised a little higher than the line of text. (Example: r2)
  • Text - Another name for alphabetical data entered into a document
  • Thesaurus - A feature in most word processors used to replace a word in a document with one that is more suitable and adds variety to your writing.
  • Word Processing - a computerized method of writing, editing, saving, and printing text.
  • Word Wrap - Setting that automatically moves the cursor to the next line without the user pressing the return/enter key.

Skills To Know
  • Can work with multiple windows open
  • Can insert and edit images
  • Format font (superscript, subscript, strike-through, bold, underline etc.)
  • Spell check
  • Create table
  • Cut/copy and paste
  • Create a header/footer
  • Landscape/Portrait page set up
  • Search and replace
  • Use a thesaurus/dictionary
  • Format alignment, spacing
  • Minimizing windows
  • Create links


Practice Desktop Publishing Using Word or Pages

Desktop Publishing Resources - Games, Lessons, Practice